Reflections on filing: Are Dems outsourcing the 2014 elections?

Washington State’s filing period for the 2014 elections is over. To celebrate—and in honor of campaign kick-off season—we felt it was appropriate to offer our reflections on the candidates. Unfortunately, our reflections didn’t get very far before a distracting realization diverted our attention: the fact that Democrats had so much trouble recruiting credible candidates for competitive legislative races, they had to outsource.

Song popped up in South King County’s 30th LD after running for King County Council against Councilmember Reagan Dunn and losing. She is now trying her chances for state Senate in the 30th LD against Republican Mark Miloscia. Song moved to the 30th LD for the express purpose of running for its open state Senate seat.

Then there is Chris Barringer who is taking on Republican State Rep. Mark Hargrove in the 47th LD. King County Election records—which SHIFT has documented—prove that Barringer was still registered to vote at a Seattle address the week he announced his candidacy. Judging from Barringer’s recent campaign kick-off, which no one appears to have attended, 47th LD voters don’t seem to have taken to the carpetbagger election trick all that well.

As an added bonus to the problems plaguing Democrats seeking election in to the state Legislature, SHIFT sources claim that Gov. Jay Inslee called Joan McBride—who originally threw her hat into the race for the 48th LD senate seat—and asked her to back down in favor of the liberal Democrat Rep. Cyrus Habib, who decided his own chances for Senate improved drastically after Sen. Rodney Tom decided not to seek re-election. Habib is now running for Senate and McBride for House in the 48th LD.

After Washington State voters voting for this governor, I do not know what they will do if Ben Carson runs for President, will they vote for him because he is black or not vote for him because he is s republican. The criteria for voting for anyone is race and party because every other issue takes some knowledge outside their skill set. nOtherwise, I see no reason for us to be embroiled in our presidents devastating saga’s. It is devastating to remember, throughout history, that normal, sane people have supported abnormal, insane people.

Michelle darnell

I am challenging Cyrus in the 48th. Michelldarnellforsenate.com. I am running to roll back the Boeing tax deduction, restore funding for schools without increasing any taxes on individuals and small business, rebuild the economy and reduce corruption in Olympia. I am a republican, a mom and a foreclosure defense paralegal. nnI am running to inspire the grassroots, engage others in the process and restore our respect for justice and the truth.nnOur legislature and my opponent approved an 8B “no strings attached” deduction for Boeing and despite a court order, failed to provide apple funding for education. By granting the deduction we shift the burden on to the backs of individuals and small business. If the demo take control we can expect the 5B shortfall in the budget to be made up by increasing property taxes, sales taxes and perhaps an income tax. Why did we let a company enjoying record profits get such a subsidy? For the favor they send thousands of jobs out of our state. Am I missing something here?nnwe can not continue to allow corporate interests to dictate policy and we must stop the tax and spend philosophy currently in control. I am pro business yet there is an imbalance at the moment. Big money dictates policy. We the people must engage and we need a seat at the table.nnMichelle DarnellnCandidate for State SenatenR 4th LD